Times are about as tough as they can be for a 90-win team virtually guaranteed a playoff spot.

The Yankees (90-56), just a few weeks ago, believed they could catch the Red Sox in the AL East. Now, after posting a 5-6 mark so far in September, New York may have to travel to Oakland in a one-game wild-card meeting as the A’s are just 1 1/2 games back in the wild-card standings.

“Aaron Boone has done a good job dealing with all these moving parts and certainly has the respect of the players,’’ Steinbrenner told the New York Post. “Overall we have been happy with the choice.’’

The Yankees have 16 games remaining, including six against Boston, three against Toronto, three against Baltimore and four against Tampa Bay.

Steinbrenner said the final stretch of the season will be tough against divisional teams, and cited optimism with health updates regarding Aaron Judge and Aroldis Chapman. But, perhaps most importantly for Boone, Steinbrenner seems fine with the prospect of traveling to Oakland for a winner-take-all wild-card game.

“I’m not sure disappointed would be the word I would choose regarding [playing in] Oakland. I would certainly prefer to play in NY of course,” Steinbrenner said. “Having said that, if it is to be the wild-card game then the focus of our players will be to beat whatever team is in front of them. [Regardless] of what city we are in. That much I know for certain.’’